Posts for category: Hearing Loss

Find out why earwax may build up and what you should do about it if it happens to you.

Some earwax is actually normal and healthy for your ears, as it helps to protect it from bacteria and keep things clean. If there isn’t enough earwax, you may experience annoyingly itchy ears. While ear canals are self-cleaning, there are times when you may still need to turn to our Naperville audiologist Dr. Lisa Prather to have earwax buildup properly removed.

What are the signs of earwax buildup?

While most of the time the ear canals won’t need to be cleaned, glands producing more ear wax than is necessary could cause a blockage or excessive buildup. You may have earwax buildup if:

You have noticed sudden hearing loss or muffled hearing (hearing is completely restored once the earwax is removed).

You experience ringing in the ears (tinnitus).

You have ear pain.

You feel fullness or pressure in the ear.

If earwax buildup isn’t removed, this can cause an infection. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms above the earwax needs to be removed.

How is earwax buildup removed?

It’s important that you never dig at your ears to remove earwax, as this can cause an infection or damage to your ear. But, you’ll be happy to hear that most people can remove earwax themselves from the comfort of their own homes. Remember that cotton swabs should only be used on the outer parts of the ears and never inside the ear to clean it out.

You can soften the earwax by using hydrogen peroxide, baby oil or mineral oil. You can also purchase an at-home ear irrigation kit at your local drugstore. However, those who have had an ear injury or who have had a medical procedure performed on their ears should not use this form of treatment to remove earwax. In this instance, it’s best to seek medical attention.

But you’ll be happy to know that most of the time people won’t need to have us remove earwax buildup. But if you are experiencing ear problems and you are unable to clean out the wax yourself then it’s time you contact your Naperville audiologist. There are other problems that could be causing this build up and it’s always best to be safe rather than sorry when it comes to the health of your ears.

It’s amazing how much your quality of life depends on your hearing. If you are noticing an issue with your hearing or your ears then call Ear to Ear Hearing Solutions, where our Naperville doctor of audiology, Dr. Prather, is here for you.

Hearing aids are a wonderful way to enhance diminished hearing, and great strides have been made in this field to give the wearer the best, most comfortable and most authentic experience possible. However, the hearing aids themselves can malfunction and may occasionally need repair or adjustments. Dr. Lisa Prather, your audiologist at Ear to Ear Hearing Solutions in Naperville, IL, has a few tips for her patients about hearing aid repair.

When to contact your audiologist

Decreased hearing quality, feedback (whistling or squeaking) or distorted sounds can all indicate the need for hearing aid repair. Because today's hearing aids are carefully programmed to meet a patient's individual hearing needs, Dr. Prather, your Naperville audiologist, may need to make adjustments to the aid's settings from time to time. The size and shape of the ears can also change, resulting in an improper fit that will need professional attention as well.

DIY solutions

In some cases, problems with your hearing aids may be something simple that can be resolved at home. Many times, the problem is due to the tubing being blocked with ear wax. Your hearing aid specialist suggests detaching the tubes from the aids and thoroughly washing the tubes in hot, soapy water, being sure to rinse them thoroughly and allowing ample time for them to dry before reattaching them to the hearing aid itself. If you are unsure how to do this, please don't hesitate to contact Ear to Ear Hearing Solutions in Naperville.

You should also check to make sure the batteries are functioning: check their expiry date, their placement and make sure you're using the right size of battery. Lastly, check the volume setting to be sure it hasn't been lowered accidentally.

As always, the staff at Ear to Ear Hearing Solutions, your Naperville hearing aid repair specialist, is available for any questions or concerns you may have. Contact us without delay if you notice a problem with your hearing aids or a change in the quality of your hearing.

About 15 percent of adults over 18 have reported that they’ve had trouble with their hearing. Hearing problems often develop due to prolonged exposure to loud music and sounds. Learn why you should stop turning up the volume and schedule a hearing test with an ear doctor at Ear to Ear Hearing Solutions in Naperville, IL.

When You Turn Up the Volume
There’s a reason why your cellphone or iPod warns you before you turn up the volume past a certain point. Listening to loud music or noises can cause ear problems, including hearing loss. In fact, it’s estimated that up to 26 million adults ages 20-69 have hearing loss from exposure to loud noises when working or having fun.

Tinnitus
Tinnitus is the official name for a ringing noise in the ear that can interfere with your ability to hear. It can cause headaches and sometimes make it difficult to sleep. It is sometimes caused by an ear infection or injury, but it can also happen when you listen to very loud music or if you’re exposed to loud shouting very close to your ear. If tinnitus is not checked and properly addressed, over time it can lead to permanent hearing problems. Treatments and therapies are available at the office of Ear to Ear Hearing Solutions in Naperville.

Having Your Ears Checked
A hearing test or assessment is a relatively quick appointment that you may be able to schedule on your lunch break. During the test, the doctor will measure your ability to hear certain sounds and reveal the results on a tool called an audiogram. The doctor will also do a visual exam of the inside of each ear and ask detailed questions about your health history.

Call for an Ear Checkup
Contact the Naperville, IL office of Ear to Ear Hearing Solutions at (630) 305-0537 today to schedule your next hearing test. This checkup appointment is particularly important if you’ve had a problem with your ears in the past.

If you have issues hearing those around you then you may want to consider a hearing aid.

It can be frustrating when you have trouble hearing those around you. You want so desperately to understand what people are saying and be part of the conversation but maybe you’re too embarrassed to continuously ask people to repeat themselves. Find out what scenarios may warrant a trip to see your Naperville audiologist, Dr. Lisa Prather.

What are the signs that I have hearing loss?

You may notice a variety of warning signs that could pinpoint whether it’s time to talk to your audiologist in Naperville, IL about hearing aids:

It sounds like many people are mumbling when talking to you

You need to have the volume on the television or radio turned up in order to properly hear it

You ask people to repeat themselves often

You have trouble hearing people in noisy or public environments

You have trouble understanding people in groups

You find yourself straining to hear conversations

Hearing people on the telephone is challenging

You avoid social occasions and gatherings or find yourself isolated during group conversations

What can I expect when I get a hearing aid?

When you get glasses they are designed to completely correct your vision, but it’s a bit different with hearing aids. Hearing aids will never completely correct your hearing loss or be able to 100-percent restore your hearing. What hearing aids can do is amplify the sounds around you so you can hear people better. The purpose of wearing a hearing aid is to make soft conversation or sounds more audible while making normal sounds comfortable to hear.

A hearing aid is also designed to help a person understand speech by amplifying sounds that a person may have trouble hearing without a hearing aid. Some hearing aids are made to amplify high-pitched sounds while others are better for low-pitched sounds. Your audiologist in Naperville will be able to help you determine which kind of hearing aid is right for you when you come into our office.

Being able to hear is a vital component to a healthy and happy life. If you are having trouble hearing what others are trying to say then maybe it’s time to consider getting a hearing aid in Naperville. Call Ear to Ear Hearing Solutions to schedule your next appointment.